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What incentives do you use for your little ones? I don’t want to offer candy; that would teach that eating and/or food is a reward–not a direction I want to go in. I don’t want to offer television, because there is too much of that and it makes TV seem too desirable. For my 8 yr old daughter 10 minutes of reading has been a fabulous incentive. She no longer leaves her clothes on the floor and she always puts her backpack away. But what do I do for my three year old?
For more great Works-For-Me-Wednesday questions (and their accompanying tips!) visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer. This week is especially good because it is the backwards edition. Rather than posting tips, we all ask for tips. This makes for the best advice of all, because it showcases the collective mommy wisdom of the internet.
My other Works-For-Me-Wednesday posts:
Labeling and Containerizing
Vacationing with Young Children
Great Pasta
Fine Hair Hair Care
Teaching Independence
Cook’s Illustrated
Rx Info
Sleep Baby Sleep
Grocery Sack–Alternative Use
Stickers
Comments
9 Responses to “WFMW: Incentives for little ones?”
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STICKERS!
Either to put on shirts, faces, mommy’s backside, or a chart on the wall. I highly recommend stickers.
Maybe even a sticker chart (I had one when I was around his age).
You have pictures relating to the things he needs to do without whining/complaining. Maybe get dressed, make bed, and help set the table. Each night you go over the chart with him and put a sticker for each thing he did without whining or complaining.
After a certain time, take him to the toy/dollar store and let him pick out a reasonable reward
Ok I scrolled down and read an older post and you wondererd what to do to yell less. I was a yeller and let my bad temper go unleashed too much. The best thing that has helped me not to suffer from the guilt of being that way was to memorize Romans 12: 1-2. While memorizing it I asked God to renew my mind, to help me stop the angry thoughts from entering my mind, to stop my bad habits in my mind before they came out to attack those around me. I could not change without a lot of help from the power we have through God’s word. Praying right now that God will renew your mind…
I use things that they’ve already got or are already doing. My son wants to watch a video, I tell him he can as soon as his room is clean. They’re building with blocks, I tell them that if they want to finish what they’re building they need to come eat dinner. At the store, they know we will always get a snack at the register… unless they misbehave. They never misbehave at the store! LOL
how about 10 min of mommy reading to her or playing agame like candyland or yahtzee with her. perhaps she could earn a bicycle ride or nature walk with mommy or a chance to play with your cosmetics or brush your hair. the opportunity to fingerpaint or play with playdo is strictly regulated in the Nehemiah house.
also helping you bake or being allowed to play in soapy water are great fun activities for 3yods
Mrs N
Mom’s Money – it’s play money that they can earn. They have wallets (envelopes) to keep them in, and then we have an auction with fun stuff from the clearance bins or dollar store.
I completely agree with not wanting to use food as an incentive. I have been known to use just a couple of pieces of a small candy (like jellybeans), but only when I’m desparate.
Playtime or reading time with me is a good one. Anything you find yourself saying ‘no’ to often… getting out a certain game or activity (painting maybe?).
We haven’t had much luck w/stickers… that’s been a disappointment, lol.
Good luck!
If stickers don’t work, you could try playtime with a specific toy. If there is one particular toy your child enjoys playing with, maybe you could use it as a reward… “You can have 10 extra minutes playing with the legos/playdoh/puzzles/racetrack. Whatever the toy, make it the reward.
I’m lucky. My kids respond to getting a hug and a kiss if they finish first or do something I want done.